Invasive Species We Study: Invasive Carp Active
Bighead, black, grass, and silver carp are sometimes referred to collectively as invasive carp. The term invasive carp replaced Asian carp in 2021. which are native to China, were originally stocked in aquaculture facilities to control algae, snails, and vegetation. These species have invaded the Mississippi River and are now established throughout the lower and middle Mississippi River Basins and some of its large tributaries where they damage ecosystems and harm economies.
USGS is leading research efforts on risk assessment and early detection of new invasions. USGS is also developing and evaluating harvest methods, barriers and deterrents, and baits/attractants to provide Federal and State management agencies the tools needed to manage and reduce populations of these species.
Invasive Carp Research
Registration of Carbon Dioxide–Carp
Invasive Carp Control: Carbon Dioxide
Carbon Dioxide for General Aquatic Invasive Species Control
Effects of Carbon Dioxide on Non-Target Organisms
Carbon Dioxide as an Invasive Carp Lethal Control
Engineering and Testing of Carbon Dioxide Infusion Systems
Carbon Dioxide as an Invasive Carp Behavioral Deterrent
Comparative Freshwater Fish Toxicity Testing of Antimycin A
Survey and Assessment of Live Food Markets as an Invasion Pathway
The Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Alert Risk Mapper (ARM)
Fish Slam November 2018
Development and Evaluation of Novel Capture Gears for Bigheaded Carps
Recent data (2020-2022) related to USGS invasive carp research are listed below. A complete listing of USGS invasive carp data is available from the button below.
Swimming speeds of grass carp in response to turbulence
Development of an age estimation method for Grass Carp from North America
Physiological and behavioral responses of bighead and silver carp to chemicals associated with common carp sex pheromones
Developmental Stages of Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) eggs in the Sandusky River (ver. 3.0, July 2020)
Asian carp eDNA and egg morphology data collected from Truman Reservoir tributaries, Missouri, USA, 2014
Recent publications (2020-2022) related to USGS invasive carp research are listed below. A complete listing of USGS invasive carp publications is available from the button below.
Decision analysis of barrier placement and targeted removal to control invasive carp in the Tennessee River Basin
Demographic rate variability of Bighead and Silver Carps along an invasion gradient
EDNA monitoring in the upper Mississippi River
Using turbulence to identify preferential areas for grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) larvae in streams: A laboratory study
Lock operations influence upstream passages of invasive and native fishes at a Mississippi River high-head dam
Telemetry evaluation of carbon dioxide as a behavioral deterrent for invasive carps
Advancements towards selective barrier passage by automatic species identification: Applications of deep convolutional neural networks on images of dewatered fish
Using Markov chains to quantitatively assess movement patterns of invasive fishes impacted by a carbon dioxide barrier in outdoor ponds
Use of environmental DNA to detect grass carp spawning events
Status of the major aquaculture carps of China in the Laurentian Great Lakes Basin
Toxicity of carbon dioxide to freshwater fishes: Implications for aquatic invasive species management
Regime change in a large-floodplain river ecosystem: Patterns in body-size and functional biomass indicate a shift in fish communities
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- Overview
Bighead, black, grass, and silver carp are sometimes referred to collectively as invasive carp. The term invasive carp replaced Asian carp in 2021. which are native to China, were originally stocked in aquaculture facilities to control algae, snails, and vegetation. These species have invaded the Mississippi River and are now established throughout the lower and middle Mississippi River Basins and some of its large tributaries where they damage ecosystems and harm economies.
USGS is leading research efforts on risk assessment and early detection of new invasions. USGS is also developing and evaluating harvest methods, barriers and deterrents, and baits/attractants to provide Federal and State management agencies the tools needed to manage and reduce populations of these species.
Invasive Carp ResearchFilter Total Items: 61Registration of Carbon Dioxide–Carp
Invasive Carp Control: Carbon Dioxide Registration of new fishery chemicals is critical to facilitate field research and give resource managers the ability to incorporate chemical controls as part of their Integrated Pest Management plans. In April 2019, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) obtained a Section 3 registration from the U.S. Environmental...Invasive Carp Control: Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is being evaluated as a chemical control for invasive carps. Recent work involves investigations on the effectiveness of CO2 as a tool to limit range expansion by blocking upstream migrations (behavioral deterrent) and manage existing populations (lethal control). Data generated from these studies are intended to inform resource managers decisions related to the development of...Carbon Dioxide for General Aquatic Invasive Species Control
Invasive Carp Control: Carbon Dioxide Carbon dioxide (CO2) is being evaluated as a new fishery chemical for general aquatic invasive species control. Most research has focused on its effectiveness as a behavioral deterrent and lethal control or invasive carps. However, because CO2 is generally non-selective, there is potential for this new control chemical to be applied across a wide range of...Effects of Carbon Dioxide on Non-Target Organisms
Invasive Carp Control: Carbon Dioxide Chemical controls are a vital component of many effective Integrated Pest Management plans. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is being evaluated as a new fishery chemical for invasive carps as a general toxicant or behavioral deterrent. Administration of non-selective chemicals, such as CO2, into public waters could pose a risk to non-target organisms (e.g. native mussels...Carbon Dioxide as an Invasive Carp Lethal Control
Invasive Carp Control: Carbon Dioxide Management agencies often rely on commercial harvest for invasive carp population control. Piscicides, or fish toxicants, are an alternative method that could supplement Integrated Pest Management plans to kill and remove large quantities of invasive carps in a relatively short period of time. This non-selective removal strategy could greatly improve removal...Engineering and Testing of Carbon Dioxide Infusion Systems
Invasive Carp Control: Carbon Dioxide Management agencies have identified key pinch-points where there is a need to block invasive carp passage. Recent studies have shown that carbon dioxide (CO2) can be an effective behavioral deterrent for invasive carps and could be used independently or in combination with other deterrents to reduce the risk of migration into new areas. Installation of a...Carbon Dioxide as an Invasive Carp Behavioral Deterrent
Invasive Carp Control: Carbon Dioxide Introduction of invasive carps into public waters of the United States has resulted in a large effort to limit dispersal beyond the Mississippi River watershed. Navigational structures positioned throughout most major rivers are potential pinch-points to block further range expansion into new areas. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is being evaluated as fish deterrent to...Comparative Freshwater Fish Toxicity Testing of Antimycin A
Researchers are investigating the influence of Antimycin A on invasive carp and non-target fishes by measuring the effects of a novel species-specific bait formulation.Survey and Assessment of Live Food Markets as an Invasion Pathway
Live food markets may be a source of the increasing number of non-native wild invertebrate and fish species, like Asian swamp eels and snakeheads. USGS is surveying such markets around the United States to identify and document species that might be of concern if released live into the wild to assess if the live food market is a possible invasion pathway.The Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Alert Risk Mapper (ARM)
The Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) program has developed a new tool, the NAS Alert Risk Mapper (ARM), to characterize waterbodies in the conterminous U.S. and Hawaii at potential risk of invasion from a new nonindigenous species sighting.Fish Slam November 2018
In November 2018, USGS researchers joined partners in South Florida where they sampled freshwater bodies for non-native fishes. The bi-annual Fish Slam event helps monitor new introductions and document range expansion of known non-native fishes.Development and Evaluation of Novel Capture Gears for Bigheaded Carps
Mass removal of Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and Bighead Carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis , hereafter referred to as bigheaded carps, is a primary management action to contain the population growth and reduce upstream dispersal. The use of passive trap nets to harvest bigheaded carps may effectively supplement active capture techniques. The USGS is working with partner agencies to... - Data
Recent data (2020-2022) related to USGS invasive carp research are listed below. A complete listing of USGS invasive carp data is available from the button below.
Filter Total Items: 17Swimming speeds of grass carp in response to turbulence
In this experimental series we studied the swimming capabilities and response of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) larvae to flow turbulence in a laboratory flume. We compared three different experimental configurations, representing in-stream obstructions commonly found in natural streams (e.g. a gravel bump, a single vertical cylinder, and patches of submerged rigid vegetation). Grass carp laDevelopment of an age estimation method for Grass Carp from North America
The development of a reliable method of age estimation for Grass Carp is necessary for the successful management of this invasive species. Multiple federal and state agencies with assistance from commercial fishers collected adult Grass Carp from 2012 to 2018. Ossified parts were collected from these fish, and age estimates from them were compared to develop an age estimation method. Here we proviPhysiological and behavioral responses of bighead and silver carp to chemicals associated with common carp sex pheromones
This dataset contains a combination of physiological and behavioral approaches for characterizing the response of bighead and silver carp to potentially attractive chemicals associated with sex pheromones identified in common carp. The dataset contains eight tables: 1) EOG responses from untreated and masculinized silver carp to prostaglandins, 2) mixture discrimination indices of the prostaglandiDevelopmental Stages of Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) eggs in the Sandusky River (ver. 3.0, July 2020)
Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella was imported to the United States in the 1960s for research into its usefulness as a biocontrol agent for nuisance aquatic vegetation. Escapees and intentionally stocked individuals founded wild, spawning populations in the Mississippi River and tributaries to the Laurentian Great Lakes. USGS-led research on the Sandusky River, a tributary to Lake Erie, demonstraAsian carp eDNA and egg morphology data collected from Truman Reservoir tributaries, Missouri, USA, 2014
Ichthyoplankton tows samples collected from Truman reservoir tributaries evaluated for eDNA. Data also includes hydrologic and water quality parameters and morphology of grass carp eggs. - Publications
Recent publications (2020-2022) related to USGS invasive carp research are listed below. A complete listing of USGS invasive carp publications is available from the button below.
Filter Total Items: 37Decision analysis of barrier placement and targeted removal to control invasive carp in the Tennessee River Basin
Controlling range expansion of invasive carp (specifically Hypophthalmichthys spp.) on the Tennessee River is important to conserve the ecological and economic benefits provided by the river. We collaborated with State and Federal agencies (the stakeholder group) to develop a decision framework and decision support model to evaluate strategies to control carp expansion in the Tennessee River. UsinAuthorsMax Post van der Burg, David R. Smith, Aaron R. Cupp, Mark W. Rogers, Duane ChapmanDemographic rate variability of Bighead and Silver Carps along an invasion gradient
Invasive Bighead Carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis and Silver Carp H. molitrix have infested and caused largescale ecological and economic damage to the Illinois, Mississippi, and Ohio rivers. We compiled demographic data from 42,995 fish from 23 pools in the Illinois, Mississippi, and Ohio rivers, which universities and management agencies previously collected as part of management, monitoring, andAuthorsRichard A. Erickson, Jahn L. Kallis, Alison A. Coulter, David P. Coulter, Ruairi MacNamara, James T. Lamer, Wesley W. Bouska, Kevin S. Irons, Levi Solomon, Andrew J. Stump, Michael J. Weber, Marybeth K. Brey, Christopher J. Sullivan, Greg G. Sass, James E. Garvey, David C. GloverEDNA monitoring in the upper Mississippi River
This report describes the joint efforts of USGS UMESC and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to monitor bigheaded carps in the Upper Mississippi River. The report prepared for the Mississippi Interstate Cooperative Resource Association details eDNA results from 2021.AuthorsJenna Bloomfield, Stephen Frank SpearUsing turbulence to identify preferential areas for grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) larvae in streams: A laboratory study
In this experimental series, we studied the swimming capabilities and response of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) larvae to flow turbulence in a laboratory flume. We compared three different experimental configurations, representing in‐stream obstructions commonly found in natural streams (e.g., a gravel bump, a single vertical cylinder, and patches of submerged rigid vegetation). Grass carpAuthorsAndres F. Prada, Amy E. George, Benjamin H. Stahlschmidt, P. Ryan Jackson, Duane Chapman, Rafael O. TinocoLock operations influence upstream passages of invasive and native fishes at a Mississippi River high-head dam
Asian carps continue to expand their range in North America, necessitating efforts to limit the spread and establishment of reproducing populations. Mississippi River Lock and Dam 19 is a high-head dam that represents a population ‘pinch-point’ as passage through the lock chamber is the only means by which fishes can complete upstream movement. As such, this location could be a pivotal control poiAuthorsAndrea K. Fritts, Brent C. Knights, Jessica C. Stanton, Amanda S. Milde, Jonathan M. Vallazza, Marybeth K. Brey, Sara J. Tripp, Thomas E. Devine, Wesley Sleeper, James T. Lamer, Kyle J. MoselTelemetry evaluation of carbon dioxide as a behavioral deterrent for invasive carps
Carbon dioxide (CO2) mixed into water is being explored as a possible management strategy to deter the upstream movements of invasive carps through navigation locks and other migratory pinch-points. This study used two-dimensional acoustic telemetry to assess the effectiveness of dissolved CO2 as a chemosensory deterrent to two carp species in a large U-shaped pond. Free-swimming movements of teleAuthorsAaron R. Cupp, Ashley K Lopez, Justin Smerud, John A. Tix, Jose Rivera, Nicholas M. Swyers, Marybeth K. Brey, Christa M. Woodley, David L. Smith, Mark P. GaikowskiAdvancements towards selective barrier passage by automatic species identification: Applications of deep convolutional neural networks on images of dewatered fish
Invasive species negatively affect enterprises such as fisheries, agriculture, and international trade. In the Laurentian Great Lakes Basin, threats include invasive sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) and the four major Chinese carps. Barriers have proven to be an effective mechanism for managing invasive species but are detrimental in that they also limit the migration of desirable, native species.AuthorsJesse Eickholt, Dylan Kelly, Janine Bryan, Scott M. Miehls, Daniel ZielinskiUsing Markov chains to quantitatively assess movement patterns of invasive fishes impacted by a carbon dioxide barrier in outdoor ponds
Natural resource managers use barriers to deter the movement of aquatic invasive species. Research and development of new invasive species barriers is often evaluated in pond and field scales using high‐resolution telemetry data. Telemetry data sets can be a rich source of data about fish movement and behavior but can be difficult to analyze due to the size of these data sets as well as their irreAuthorsLauren K Borland, Collin J Mulcahy, Barb Bennie, Douglas D Baumann, Roger J. Haro, Molly Van Appledorn, Kathi Jo Jankowski, Aaron R. Cupp, Richard A. EricksonUse of environmental DNA to detect grass carp spawning events
The timing and location of spawning events are important data for managers seeking to control invasive grass carp populations. Ichthyoplankton tows for grass carp eggs and larvae can be used to detect spawning events; however, these samples can be highly debris-laden, and are expensive and laborious to process. An alternative method, environmental DNA (eDNA) technology, has proven effective in detAuthorsCari-Ann Hayer, Michael F. Bayless, Amy E. George, Nathan Thompson, Catherine A. Richter, Duane ChapmanStatus of the major aquaculture carps of China in the Laurentian Great Lakes Basin
There is concern of economic and environmental damage occuring if any of the four major aquacultured carp species of China, black carp Mylopharyngodon piceus, bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis, silver carp H. molitrix, or grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella, were to establish in the Laurentian Great Lakes. All four are reproducing in the Mississippi River Basin. We review the status of theseAuthorsDuane Chapman, Amy J. Benson, Holly S. Embke, Nicole R. King, Patrick Kočovský, Teresa D. Lewis, Nicholas E. MandrakToxicity of carbon dioxide to freshwater fishes: Implications for aquatic invasive species management
Carbon dioxide (CO2) has been approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency as a new aquatic pesticide to control invasive Asian carps and other aquatic nuisance species in the United States. However, limited CO2 toxicity data could make it challenging for resource managers to characterize the potential risk to nontarget species during CO2 applications. The present study quantified the toxiciAuthorsAaron R. Cupp, Justin Smerud, Linnea M Thomas, Diane L. Waller, David L. Smith, Richard A. Erickson, Mark P. GaikowskiRegime change in a large-floodplain river ecosystem: Patterns in body-size and functional biomass indicate a shift in fish communities
Changes in species dominance may drive regime shifts because dominant biotic feedbacks reflect functional traits of a community. Changes in species dominance has been documented by a 25-year fish community dataset encompassing six reaches of the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. Specifically, common carp (Cyprinus carpio) abundance has declined across all reaches, whereas silver carp (HypophtAuthorsKristen L. Bouska - Software
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